Russia has resisted calls from Kyiv and NATO to supply weapons directly to Ukraine, maintaining a long-standing policy of not providing armament to countries in active conflict. However, it was recently reported that Russia launched three missiles and 48 drones at Ukraine during the night, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Russia's chief diplomat met with North Korea's Foreign Minister in Moscow, while reports suggest that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to Russian territory to support military actions in Ukraine. It has been noted that around 10,000 North Korean troops could join Russian forces near the border with Ukraine in the coming days.
The United States and its allies accuse North Korea of supplying artillery shells and other military equipment to Russia to support its operation in Ukraine. In turn, Russia and China have blocked U.S. attempts at the UN Security Council to impose further sanctions on North Korea for missile tests, which have intensified since the Russian invasion in 2022.
The South Korean president has mentioned the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine in response to the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia, which is raising concerns. On the other hand, several drones have caused damage to civilian facilities and homes in various regions of Ukraine.
Moscow has intercepted and destroyed a total of 83 Ukrainian drones near the Russian border, additionally reporting that 31 of them were halted with jamming. Despite reports, both Russia and North Korea have been vague in directly addressing the presence of North Korean troops on Russian territory.
Amidst the tension, the Russian Foreign Minister is expected to participate in an international meeting in Malta, which would be his first trip to an EU country since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. South Korean and Western authorities express concern over the possible transfer of military technology from Russia to North Korea.
In summary, the situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with geopolitical and military movements raising concerns in the international community.
